Business Administrator

Department
 

BSD PED - Pediatric Genetics and Genomics

About the Department
 

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago is a dynamic and stimulating place to work. We strive for the highest level of complex care for children from diagnosis and treatment; provide outstanding education and training for students, postgraduate scholars, and physicians; and nurture the research of Department scholars who seek to elucidate the causes of pediatric disease and identify promising new therapies. In addition to our provision of clinical care at UChicago Medicine (UCM) Comer Children’s Hospital and at our regional sites, we are currently expanding our clinical care across Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana. In collaboration with our partners in the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA; Advocate Children’s Hospital, and NorthShore University Health System). CCHA has responsibility for the care of almost 1 million children. The Department has 6 ambulatory sites and 3 inpatient sites of care across the region with the goal of providing care ‘close to home’ whenever feasible (https://pediatrics.uchicago.edu/). Our mission is to improve the health of every child entrusted to us, in an inclusive environment that is committed to family-centered care, clinical excellence, impactful scholarship, effective disease prevention, and advocacy for the appropriate care of every child. We are especially committed to the children on the South Side of Chicago and to altering the inequities in healthcare. The Department of Pediatrics has approximately 185 physicians, physician-scientists, and scientists in 15 sections that cover the range of pediatric care. Our education program serves the students of the College, the Pritzker School of Medicine (PSOM), 70 categorical pediatric residents, 6 child neurology residents, 58 fellows, and numerous graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The Department has a staff of 220 advanced practice providers, administrators, research administrators, clinical research associates, and laboratory staff. The Department has an expanding portfolio of Federal, foundational, and Philanthropic awards, and is committed to doubling its research base in the next three years.

Job Summary
 

The Department of Pediatrics is seeking a Business Administrator for an exciting opportunity to facilitate the development of a new Section within the Department of Pediatrics focused on Pediatric Genetics and Genomics. The Business Administrator will possess experience in the administration of academic research platforms. The prospective Business Administrator will be responsible for facilitating day-to-day operations of lab-based research labs across the Department. This will include but not be limited to streamlined approaches for hiring and onboarding of laboratory personal, interface with active Laboratory Manager of the laboratories for the purchase and maintenance of major common equipment, interface with pre- and post-grant award administrative staff, and high-level financial oversight of laboratories with Departmental Executive Director. The Business Administrator will interface with Section Chiefs and Section Business Administrator across Pediatric disciplines to organize and grow research and genetic testing within the Department. The Business Administrator will facilitate interactions between research and clinical faculty members of the new Pediatric Genomics section. This exciting opportunity will provide advanced experience in the administration of research and clinical platforms in a dynamic academic setting.
Our department follows a hybrid work structure that fosters productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. Working from the office is encouraged for tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the business administrator for research groups across the department in managing administrative issues such as finances, academic personnel, and communications in partnership with Section Administrators.

• Assists PIs with coordination of all functions necessary to support a research group.

• Serves as the 'front line' for requests for information from all members of the research groups.

• Collaborates with Academic Affairs to make sure that postdocs are hired and onboarded into the laboratory.

• Coordinates initial orientation for new postdoctoral researchers, students, and other research staff in assigned labs.

• Supervises undergraduate support positions including onboarding, approving time, and directing their work.

• Manages lab safety checklists, schedules, lab duty lists, lab maintenance and cleanup schedules.

• Resolves many office problems independently and facilitates solutions, conferring with the appropriate faculty members to resolve the most complex issues.

• Oversees procurement and the processing of reimbursements, GEMS expense reporting.

• Manages seminar speakers/visitors by arranging travel and visit schedules; manages workshops and collaborative meetings within the research group and with other research groups or researchers.

• Manages PIs’ travel itineraries and related calendar, obtaining appropriate visas, and submitting reimbursements for expenses.

• Manages and prioritizes with daily task lists via email and be able to respond rapidly during the workday to email, text, phone, and/or verbal requests as these daily priorities evolve and/or change.

• Orders office and laboratory supplies, including chemicals, solvents, and small equipment.

• May manage special projects as directed by the PIs.

• Monitors equipment usage/conditions, manages equipment procurement & repair, negotiates with vendors, and manage maintenance of laboratory chemical inventory.

• Performs some routine and complex assignments for the unit usually in the areas of finance, event planning or support services. Initiate the hiring process of students and staff for a unit, which includes the processing of payroll.

• Responsible for training office staff on office procedures and compliance protocols. Coordinates special projects.

• Assists faculty in the pursuit of grants and awards. Conducts special studies and projects, including the development and enhancement of funding opportunities by working closely with the faculty in the section.

• Acts as a liaison between the section and other University departments.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Previous administrative experience.

• Previous experience in an academic institution.

• Previous experience in a scientific research environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Quantitative and analytical skills.

• Problem-solving skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Organizational skills.

• Self-starter who can operate in a complex administrative environment with limited oversight.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.

• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and promptly.

• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

• Ability to train or teach others.

• Ability to work effectively and collegially with little supervision or as a member of a team.

• Ability to work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

• Ability to work effectively across departments.

• Collaboration skills.

• Active listening skills.

• Critical thinking skills.

• Editing and proofreading skills.

• Interpersonal skills.

• Time management skills.

• High degree of professionalism and emotional intelligence.

Working Conditions

• Office setting.

• Research laboratory setting.

• Eligible for hybrid work based on business needs and the demands of specific tasks. Working from the office is encouraged for tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

Yes

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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